FanX 2015 Day 2

Friday was day 2 of Salt Lake Comic Con Fan Experience. Today was the day that I had my two photo ops and what I dubbed our Star Wars day since we dressed up as Han and Leia. I was up until about 1 AM finishing Sean’s costume, but I was really impressed with out it turned out, even though it wasn’t accurate. What really took the cake was Sean’s hair. It was pretty spot on for Han, and he got a lot of compliments about it.

We got ready and I opted to not take a sweater or coat today. The weather in Salt Lake has been pretty mild this winter, so there was no need. Good thing too as my costume was rather warm for being a dress. It probably had something to do with my under shirt and leggings that I wore underneath.

Jared and Camille met us at our apartment and we made our way to the Salt Palace once more, again parking underneath.

Sean piloting the vehicle

The copilot

We didn’t have a plan for any panels today, so we got some pretzels for breakfast from a vendor while we waited for the Expo hall to open. Once it was open we decided to walk the floor. FanX this year was smaller than last years two events. It was great on my pregnant body, but it made it easier to cover all the vendors. Sean and I got stopped for quite a few photos, which always gets me excited. It makes me feel like my cosplays were done well, even when I didn’t spend a lot of time on them and cut corners to make them easier. We got over to the Delorean booth from Back to the Future. For the last two conventions, I’d been saying that I wanted to get our photo taken with the Delorean. It cost money, but the proceeds went to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Back in high school my Grandpa passed away from Parkinson’s, so it was near and dear to my heart that they raised money for this foundation. Sean and I decided to purchase the option of me sitting in the car, and him standing on the hover board. It was $30 dollars, but it was well worth it in our eyes.

While we were paying, a girl walking by slipped and fell into the tables of the booth. She had twisted her ankle somehow. I felt bad for her, but I was okay waiting a moment for our photo op to make sure she got the proper care she needed. The volunteers and exhibitors at the booth were quick to respond. I saw her later on in the day and she looked like she was doing much better! Sean and I waited on some chairs while we waited. Since it was still early on in the day, we were the only ones waiting. I got in the car carefully, because it’s hard for me to sit and stand up, especially in a low car like the Delorean. The car smelled a little musty, but the inside was amazing and full of details! The guy took a bunch of photos of us in different poses.

They then invited me to take some photos of the inside of the vehicle. I ended up taking a video instead, so that I wouldn’t miss anything. We then earned our time travelers licenses.

After this we worked our way through the Expo hall. We past by a booth for Gemr, a website for collectors. If you signed up(for free), you got either a t-shirt or HeroClix, you could also come back for the meet and greet for Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Did I mention that this meet and greet was free? I signed up, as it seemed like a neat site anyways, and I went with the t-shirt. They weren’t lining up for the meet and greet yet, so we did a little bit more wandering. I ended up getting a glitter tattoo of the rebel alliance symbol.

Even my mother in law and sister in law joined in!

Sean and I then got in line for Nicholas Brendon, which was now quite long, but not too long that we were going to skip it. We went got in line and took a line selfie.

It was finally our turn and we went up to the table he was at. Nicholas immediately started telling us facts about Harrison Ford improving famous lines in Star Wars and Indiana Jones. It was awesome that he was making conversation. We then had to choose which photo we wanted him to sign. I asked Sean and in front of Nicholas said “clearly he’s more handsome in this one.” I laughed a little because it’s very Sean to say something like that in front of someone, and thankfully Nicholas thought it was funny. He signed the photo for us then asked if we wanted a photo. We said of course. But before we took the photo he put his arms out and asked me for a hug which got me a bit flustered. I told him that he was one of my favorites in Buffy, and we took the photo.

Sean and I both agreed that he has aged well

Funny story is that I had noticed his shirt was inside out, but I didn’t say anything thinking it was maybe some designer shirt or something. I found out later on Facebook that he didn’t know it was inside out! Celebrities are just like us!

We met up afterwards with my in laws to get some photos with the carbonite chamber backdrop.

The family except for my father in law

Sean found a Boba Fett who took him prisoner

After this we went to go buy some hoodies that we’d been talking about getting and get food before I needed to get in line for my first photo op. While on the way we ran into my friend from work dressed as Meg.

We then found a replica of a Jurassic Park jeep. I love Jurassic Park. It’s one of my favorite movie franchises as well as book series. I had to get a pic with the jeep! I tried to get in, but because of the height, I was struggling with getting in. I opted to stand outside of it instead.

I talked to the guy at the booth about our excitement for Jurassic World which comes out in June of this year.

We made our way to the Loth Hoodies booth. I had seen these hoodies last September and thought they were pretty cool. They have these huge hoods that resemble an elven or wizards cloak hood. While we waited to purchase and try on the hoodies, I found a good friend of Leia’s.

“Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope”

Finally it was our turn at the popular booth. I ended up getting a purple hoodie, and Sean got a red one. Here is an example of what our hoodies look like.

We were happy with our purchases, but it was time for lunch. The day before we weren’t able to find any tables and ended up sitting outside in the hallway. People had complained, so they added some tables for the next two days. It took a moment to get a table, but thankfully some people were done and let us have their spots. It was nice to sit down for a while, as I knew I was going to be standing in line for a while for my Doctor Who group photo op. After we ate, I had Sean run to the car to drop off some of our purchases for the day and grab my fourth Doctor scarf that I was going to wear to make me at least seem like a Whovian.

I want to take a moment to tell you about how I was able to get in on this photo op. A few weeks ago they had put the Doctor Who group photo op on sale, as well as the special Doctor Who panel tickets. I wasn’t able to purchase any of them(they sold out), and was quite upset about it. I was going to just do the panel to save money, but it wasn’t panning out the way I was hoping. I then joined a Facebook group that was all about helping people connect to join in on photo ops to help save money and meet new people, hoping I might find someone that I could join in on their photo. A couple weeks later, they released more photo ops for the group photo, and the owner of the group had openings. I talked it over with Sean and we both agreed it would be good for me to pitch in, as I didn’t want to miss another opportunity and be disappointed still. I sent her the money and I was good to go!

Now back to the con, I met up with her in the VIP line(as she was VIP I could join her), and the other two ladies who were to be in the photo with us. We made the plans to all have Sonic Screwdrivers in the photo, including Karen Gillan and Billie Piper(Amy Pond and Rose Tyler respectively), but not Matt Smith(the Doctor). Even though we were in the VIP line, we still had quite the wait(maybe it was an hour?), so we were able to get to know each other and also talk over what exactly we were going to do and who was going to stand where. When it came down to getting our photo done, it was rushed as I’ve come to expect with photo ops, but it was still a lot of fun! I was on the outside by Karen Gillan. The photo guy wanted us to get in close, but Karen was sticking her butt out and it was hitting my pregnant belly. I’m definitely going to tell my baby girl that she was touched by Karen’s butt when she was in the womb!

Our photo op turned out amazing and fun! I said my goodbyes to my new friends and went to find my husband and in laws to get in line for my next photo op with Carrie Fisher. The photo was just for us girls though, as we were all dressed as different versions of Leia.

We got in line and it was quite long. None of us were VIP, so we had to wait in line in the longer General Admission line. It wasn’t so bad though as we had plenty to talk about. The only thing that made it seem long was the fact that I felt like I had to use the restroom. Throughout the day, and the next day, I had a constant feeling of needing to use the restroom, but I never knew if it was real or not. I would hold out as long as I could, but eventually I just couldn’t stand the feeling anymore. Sitting down usually helped, but I wasn’t able to sit while we were in line for the photo ops.

When we got to the actual roped off area for the photo op, I took my chance to go to the bathroom. I went to the closest one, but I was stopped by security, saying I needed to wait for a few minutes. I figured that meant someone important was in the bathroom, and since I didn’t want to walk to the next closest bathroom, I knew I could wait. I chatted up the security and volunteers while I waited. A man who I learned was with the celebrity in the bathroom took a photo of me in my Leia dress. A couple of young sisters walked up needing to use the restroom as well, and didn’t understand why they couldn’t. The youngest asked the security why they couldn’t go in and he explained it very nicely. It made me sad that they have to go to that precaution though, because people wouldn’t respect their privacy. Finally, the celebrity came out and we were able to go in.

I met back up with my family in line and we continued to wait. While in line, the guy who had taken my photo while I waited for the bathroom also took the photo of us four girls in our different Leia costumes. Before we knew it though, it was our turn.

Carrie Fisher was on the floor with a dog for the photo op. I was a bit worried because I knew how hard it is for me to get up and down off the floor. Thankfully I was able kneel, but it was still a bit embarrassing that I couldn’t get up without some help, as well as I couldn’t hurry as fast as the photographers wanted us to. Carrie was great and made each photo fun for all those who took a photo with her. We actually had to get our photo retaken as one of us blinked. It was so nice of them to do that, because it wasn’t cheap to get our photo taken. I wish we could have gotten both photos, but the second one looks great! It reminds me of a family portrait though.

Her dog was adorable and this made for a great different kind of photo opportunity for us.

We met back up with the guys and went our separate ways to different activities.

Later Sean and I went to some panels. It was nice to just sit down and relax. The last panel we attended was one about Jurassic Park. We got a cool visitor in that panel.

Unfortunately, we had to leave the panel early as I again needed to use the restroom, and we hadn’t had dinner yet. We had decided to go to the Olive Garden to visit my friend Nick who works there as a server. But before we left, I found some good friends of mine and had to get a selfie before we said our goodbyes.

Olive Garden was a great way to end the day. I was glad that I didn’t have to worry about any cosplays either for the night and could just relax when I went home. Sean helped me ice my feet a bit, as they were swollen from all the walking that I’m not used to doing anymore. We hit the hay to rest before the last day of the con.

Hi I'm Jessica! I'm a mother, wife, gamer, cosplayer, and all around fangirl. I love being a Geek Mom because I get to share many worlds with my daughter. Check out my about page to learn more about us!